Thank You L.A. Hurricane Matthew Volunteers

I want to grow up to be a Red Cross volunteer just like you.

Posted October 24, 2016, Los Angeles, CA

Oct. 24, 2016 – More than two weeks after Hurricane Matthew swept through the southeast United States, the American Red Cross continues to assist thousands of people in its massive response to the devastation and flooding. Nearly 30 Los Angeles Region volunteers have gone to North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida to help provide shelter, food, relief supplies, emotional assistance and help with recovery efforts. Several volunteers are assisting clients remotely from L.A.

This widespread relief effort involves three-fourths of the national Red Cross fleet of vehicles, including two Los Angeles Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV) . The journey of two L.A. ERV drivers, Sandy Hanagami and Angela De Rozario, was reported on daily on the L.A. Twitter and Facebook pages, where followers eagerly tracked their cross country journey and watched as they distributed food and supplies to individuals and families.

While distributing food one day in Warsaw, North Carolina, the two met six-year-old Safetephanie Pierce, who told them she wanted to “grow up to be a Red Cross volunteer, just like you, and serve meals to help people in need."

The Red Cross will continue helping in the days and weeks to come, long after flood waters finally start to go down. Volunteers will support those affected for as long as help is needed.

The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations. Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

In the U.S. alone, the Red Cross response to Hurricane Matthew is anticipated to cost between approximately $24 – $28 million – so we need the public’s support to help the thousands of people still suffering. The Red Cross depends on donations to provide immediate relief. Help people affected by Hurricane Matthew by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word MATTHEW to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.